THE LUNA CHOOSING GAME - Season 5 Episode 38

I didn’t see Julian or Bridget again until later in the day when it was time for the final show. By then, the cameras had been set and the guests had arrived to fulfill their role as the audience. The King and Queen took their spots on their raised thrones. Joyce was notably

absent.

He was likely still down in the dungeons. I briefly wondered if Veronica was having any success with him.

The other candidates, Nicholas, Julian, Elva, and I were all in a sitting room that served as backstage. A curtain had been arranged that blocked the pathway from the room to the sides. of the stage so that we could come and go freely as needed without the crowd seeing. 1

Nathan fumbled around, trying to direct as best he could. Though it was Bridget mainly giving orders. Yet even she wouldn’t be able to oversee us all the time today. She was in most of the scenes. 1

Four times before the show started, I tried to approach Julian backstage. Each time, he spotted me and made a wide arch around me.

I still hadn’t decided whether to fully believe Bridget’s story about what happened last night, but every strange behavior today only lent credence to it.

Even Nicholas noticed, as he came to stand at my side. “Did you and Julian have a fight?”

“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “I don’t think so.”

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Given the history between the two brothers and Bridget, I didn’t want to share Bridget’s accusation. If any part of it wastrue, Julian was likely embarrassed and wouldn’t want Nicholas to know.

“He’s pissed about something,” Nicholas said. He placed his hand on my shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. “Good luck today.” 1

“Thank you,” I said. “But isn’t it bad luck to talk about luck at all before a show. Aren’t you. supposed to say, break a leg?” 1

“Maybe. I genuinely don’t know,” Nicholas admitted. “But I wouldn’t wish that on you even if that is what I’m supposed to say.”

I smiled at him. “Don’t forget I have a wolf now. A broken leg wouldn’t keep me down for long.”

“I’m grateful,” he said. “But I still wouldn’t wish you any pain, no matter how briefly.” 2

I placed my hand over his on my shoulder and squeezed. What I was most grateful for was him, though I couldn’t say that here, with so many people around.

“Nicholas!” Bridget called. “We have to get to the stage.” She stopped a few feet off. Glancing between the two of us, her gaze zeroed in immediately to his hand on my shoulder.

Nicholas didn’t move it. Not until he smiled at me, and I nodded in understanding. Then and only then did he pull away and follow Bridget down the makeshift hallway to the stage.

Outside, the roar of the crowd was dying down. The cameras were likely on. The show was about to begin.

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I walked over to where Susie was helping to retie Elva’s ribbons in her hair. She’d already pulled one free.

Nearby, Tiffany was practicing her lines too loudly, and several others hushed her.

Veronica was meditating. Jessica was pacing. Olivia and Lilliana looked bored.

Julian had vanished.

I sighed.

Susie, watching me, misread what was bothering me. “Do you think they will actually kiss today?”

At once, my stomach twisted up all over again. God, I had been so preoccupied worried about Julian that I had forgotten all about that incoming nightmare.

That made the waiting twenty times worse.

Eventually, Nicholas came back. Bridget remained on stage. She was in almost every scene.

Nicholas walked straight back to me and said, “I need to speak with you privately for a

moment.”

“Of course,” I said.

The only place to speak privately back here was an adjoining bathroom. Fortunately, like most all of the bathrooms in this place, it had its own little powder room before you entered any room with a toilet. We went to that powder room now. Nicholas checked the entire bathroom was empty then locked the door.